These Are the Top Books Being Made Into Movies in 2019

Hollywood has been taking inspiration from books, comics, and plays for as long as we can remember. So it’s not surprising that 2019 is going to be full of book-to-film adaptations just like previous years. There will be some heavy hitters “returning” like Stephen King’s Pet Semetary, and some first-timers that are bound to get sequels like Eoin Colfer’s Artemis Fowl. Here’s a look at some of the novels you’ll be able to catch in theaters next year.

‘A Dog’s Way Home’

Remember the heartwarming movie, A Dog’s Purpose? Well W. Bruce Cameron’s other canine-related novel, A Dog’s Way Home is also getting a movie! The story follows adorable pup Bella as she travels 400 miles to reunite with her owner, meeting all kind of characters along the way. The trailer has definite Homeward Bound vibes. It will be coming to the big screen on January 11th.

The film is directed by Charles Martin Smith and features The Help’s, Bryce Dallas Howard voicing Bella, as well as Double Jeopardy’s Ashley Judd and Barry Watson.

‘Pet Semetary’

This is far from the first Stephen King novel to get an adaptation. In fact, it isn’t even the first Pet Semetary adaptation! The cult-classic was reimagined back in 1989. A sequel was then produced in 1992, but the New York Times bestselling author had his name removed from the film before its release. The story follows a family who moves to a rural town that has a big secret. A “pet semetery” on the grounds is rumored to have the ability to bring the animals buried there back to life. But as Jud Crandall, played by John Lithgow in the 2019 remake, says “Sometimes dead is better.”

The 2019 remake will be more faithful to its source material, something we can all look forward. The cast includes Jason Clarke (Louis Creed). Amy Seimetz (Rachel Creed), Jeté Laurence (Ellie Creed), Hugo Lavoie (Gage Creed), and Obssa Ahmed as Victor Pascow. Pet Semetary is set to premiere on April 5th.

‘IT: Chapter 2’

It took two years, but on September 6th Andy Muschietti is finally bringing the long-awaited sequel to theaters. The story follows the Losers’ Club 27 years after their first encounter with Pennywise. Bev, Bill, Richie, Ben, Eddie, and Stanley are all living their own lives until a devastating phone call from Mike lures them back to Derry to face their worst fears.

Bill Skarsgård is reprising his role as Pennywise alongside an impressive cast. Jessica Chastain will be taking over the part of Beverly Marsh from Sophia Lillis. Split’s James McAvoy is the group’s leader, Bill Denbrough. Bill Hader will be jokester Richie Tozier—a role he is taking over from Stranger Things superstar Finn Wolfhard. Jay Ryan is playing Ben Hanscom, James Ransone is playing Eddie Kaspbrak, and Andy Bean is Stanley Uris. The final member of the Losers’ Club, Mike Hanlon, is played by the guy best known for those weird Old Spice commercials, Isaiah Mustafa.

The New York Times Bestseller by A.J. Finn is so promising that when it was put up for auction, it sparked a seven-figure bidding war amongst editors on a global scale. The publisher gone author wrote the book in secret. After its release critics praised it, considering it a successor to best-sellers like Girl On the Train and Gone Girl. Even Stephen King, the master of horror, had great things to say about the book.

Pride & Prejudice director Joe Wright is overseeing the adaptation and Sharp Objects star Amy Adams plays our protagonist, Anna Fox. Fox is a child psychologist trapped in her home due to a debilitating case of agoraphobia. To keep herself sane she relies on the internet, movies and of course spying on her neighbors. Everything is fine until she witnesses an unspeakable crime in a home across from hers. How will Fox handle the situation? If you don’t want to read the book, you’ll l just have to wait till the film debuts on October 4th to find out.

This isn’t the first time we’ll get to see the March sisters experience love, loss, and motherhood. This is just one in more than twenty adaptations of the classic post Civil War novel. The first non-silent adaptation was in 1933 and starred the iconic Katherine Hepburn. The 1949 variant won an Oscar, and the remake in 1994 won three awards of its own. Now Greta Gerwig is bringing Louisa May Alcott’s classic novel to life once again with an all-star cast at her side.

Mary, Queen of Scotts’ star Saoirse Ronan is the second oldest sibling, Jo. Florence Pugh is bringing the youngest, Amy, to life. Eliza Scanlen will be Beth and Emma Watson is the eldest of the siblings, Meg. Their mother, Marmee March, is played by Golden Globe nominee Laura Dern and their aunt is played by top Oscar-nominated actress, Meryl Streep. Theodore ‘Laurie’ Laurence, Amy March’s husband, is played by Timothée Chalamet. You’ll be able to follow the March’s sisters journey on December 25th.

What other books are getting movie adaptations in 2019?

The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah — January 25/TBA

The Rhythm Section by Mark Burnell — February 22

The Knife of Never Letting Go officially titled Chaos Walking by Patrick Ness — March 1

The Good Shepherd officially titled Greyhound by C.S. Forester — March 22